Improved table



UNITED STATES PATENT OEEICE.

E. L. STAPLES, OF NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE.

IMPROVED TABLE.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 57,209, dated August 14, 1866.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, E. L. STAPLES, of Nashville, in the county of Davidson and State of Tennessee, have invented a new and Improved Table; and I do hereby declare that the following' is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, which will enable others skilled in the art to make and use the same, reference being hadto the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specication.

The nature of my invention consists in oo nstructing a table in such a manner as to be very compact when in ordinary use as a table, but capable of extension so as to serve the purpose of a kneading-trough and table com'- bined.

This end is accomplished by constructing a table in the ordinary manner, with four legs and side pieces framed into them. The top of the table has in it a semicircular trough, the bottom of which is an inclined plane having its straight edge level with the top of the table and its lowest part at the point just opposite. At the corners, which are left/dat from the shape of the trough, are placed cups set into the top of the table.

.Above the top of the table containing the trough is a false sliding top, with a leg at one end and grooves to keep it in place. This may be moved back so as to uncover the kneading-trough, and serves at the same time as a table, being supported by the single leg at one eud and by the end of the table proper at the other, and making altogether an extremely convenient arrangement, especially Where the saving of room is an object.

In the drawings, Figure l is a side elevation of a table'constructed with my improvement. Fig. 2 is a top view of the same, showing the false top drawn back. Fig. 3 is an end view of a part of the table, showing themanner of keeping the false top in its place.

Similar letters of reference indicate like parts.

A represents a table, constructed with the legs B B and the top C. This top hasasemicircular opening cut in it. In this opening is placed the trough D, the bottom of which is an inclined plane for convenience in using it. At the corners of the table not occupid by the trough are placed Vthe cups a a', sunk into the top so as to allow of the false top moving over them without interference. These cups are used to contain salt, spices, or anyiugredieuts which may be required in the compound to be made. Above this kneadingtrough or molding-board D, and extending beyond the edgeV of the table on every side, is placed the false sliding top E. The top O of the table has its sides projected so as to form the ways G G. Over these ways the edge of the false top E projects and forms the grooves at C C, which clasp the ways Gr G and keep the top E from being lifted off while being moved backward and forward, and also serve as guides. At the point b b on the false top E are placed lugs or ears, and on the sides of the table at d d are placed similar lugs, so arranged as to serve as stops and to keep the top Efrom being eutirely removed from the rest of the table. H is a leg fastened vsecurely at the middle of the end of the top E, and having a small roller or caster, e, at its bottom, so that it will move easily backward or forward over the iioor.

When it is desired to use the kneadingtrough the ,top E is moved off, as shown in red in Fig. 1, the additional leg I-I serving to support the end of the top E, so that it may still be used as a table. The other end'is supported by the end of the table proper, and kept from sliding entirely off by the contact of the lugs I) and d. This arrangement makes 'a very convenient and useful table, keeping the kneading-trough perfectly clean while not in use, and eecting a great saving of room, which in small kitchens is a great desideratum.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. The inclined molding-board or kneadingtrough D in the top of a table, substantially as described.

2. The combination of the sliding top E with its attached leg and the inclined moldingboard in the top of a table, substantially as and for the purpose herein specied and set forth.

E. L'. STAPLES.

Witnesses:

J AMES E. RUST, JOHN MeKELvEY. 

